So-Cal emo/indie rockers Awkward formed in the late '90s, but a stable lineup gelled in the winter of 2000 consisting of vocalist Tom Souza, guitarists George Contraes and Sam Montano, Justin Caldwell on bass, and Joe Dufresne on drums. Combining garage rock and British Invasion pop with elements of country and post-'90s indie punk, the band gained recognition with their "Honky Tonk Woman"-style rendition of "Pink Triangle" (complete with a brass section instrumental) on the album Making Noise: A Tribute to Weezer on Skunkape Records. ~ Zac Johnson, All Music Guide
